Winter Day Trips from Anchorage

Plan around daylight and roads

Around the winter solstice Anchorage gets about five and a half hours of daylight, from roughly 10:15 AM to 3:41 PM. For the longer drives, leave in the dark and arrive as it gets light, so the scenery happens in daylight. Check Alaska 511 for road conditions before every trip out of town.

South along Turnagain Arm

The Seward Highway runs along Turnagain Arm south of the city, and the first stops come quickly.

• Beluga Point

  23-minute drive (17 mi)

  Turnagain Arm pullout at Seward Highway milepost 110.5, with paved parking, accessible spotting scopes and interpretive panels. Belugas pass mid-July through August, sometimes chased by orcas.

  Winter: Belugas are a summer sight, but the pullout is a scenic stop any time of year. Expect wind and limited facilities.

  Hours and details for Beluga Point (opens in a new tab)

• Alyeska Resort

  56-minute drive (41 mi)

  Girdwood's mountain resort, with skiing, lodging and a hotel northern lights wake-up call. The Chugach Mountains shield Girdwood from Anchorage's city lights.

  Winter: Ski season runs through the winter. Check the mountain report before you drive down.

  Hours and details for Alyeska Resort (opens in a new tab)

• Girdwood Brewing Company

  52-minute drive (39.6 mi)

  Brewery taproom on Alyeska Highway in Girdwood. A good stop before or after skiing or a Turnagain Arm drive.

  Hours and details for Girdwood Brewing Company (opens in a new tab)

• Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

  65-minute drive (48.7 mi)

  A 200+ acre sanctuary in Portage Valley that takes in injured and orphaned animals, including brown bears, moose and wood bison. Walk, bike or drive the 1.5-mile loop.

  Winter: Open year-round, with fewer days and shorter hours from November through February. Check the visit page before you go.

  Hours and details for Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (opens in a new tab)

Belugas are a summer sight (mid-July through August), but Beluga Point is a worthwhile stop for the views in any season. The Wildlife Conservation Center is open year-round on a reduced winter schedule, so check its visit page for the day you plan to go.

Whittier and Prince William Sound

• Whittier and the Anton Anderson Tunnel

  83-minute drive (59.6 mi)

  Prince William Sound port and gateway to glacier cruises, reached through a tunnel cars share with the railroad.

  Winter: DOT winter tunnel schedule (Oct 1 - Apr 30): open daily 7:00 am to 10:45 pm; gates locked at 11:00 pm.

  Hours and details for Whittier and the Anton Anderson Tunnel (opens in a new tab)

The only road into Whittier goes through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, which cars share with the railroad. From October 1 to April 30 the tunnel is open daily from 7:00 AM to 10:45 PM, and the gates lock at 11:00 PM. Plan your return around the schedule on the DOT&PF tunnel page.

North to Eklutna and Hatcher Pass

• Thunder Bird Falls Trail

  37-minute drive (27.2 mi)

  Easy trail, 1 mile one way with about 175 feet of climbing, ending at a viewing deck over the falls.

  Winter: The falls often freeze in winter. Bring traction.

  Hours and details for Thunder Bird Falls Trail (opens in a new tab)

• Eklutna Lake

  59-minute drive (36.2 mi)

  Chugach State Park lake with a lakeside trail and mountain scenery, about 36 road miles north of Anchorage.

  Winter: Alaska State Parks lists winter skiing, dog mushing and snowmobiling here.

  Hours and details for Eklutna Lake (opens in a new tab)

• Hatcher Pass and Independence Mine State Historical Park

  84-minute drive (58.9 mi)

  Historic gold-mine buildings in Hatcher Pass, preserved as a state historical park.

  Winter: The park is seasonal and roads can close with snow. Alaska State Parks publishes a Hatcher Pass winter brochure.

  Alaska State Parks (DNR) parking fee: $5 per day.

  Hours and details for Hatcher Pass and Independence Mine State Historical Park (opens in a new tab)

Thunderbird Falls is a short trail, about a mile one way, to a waterfall that often freezes in winter. Bring traction. Eklutna Lake is a winter skiing and mushing area in Chugach State Park. Hatcher Pass roads can close with snow, so check conditions before you go.

A full day: Seward

• Seward

  2 hr 42 min by car (126 mi)

  Port town at the end of the Seward Highway, home to the Alaska SeaLife Center and Kenai Fjords tours. Exit Glacier is a short drive away.

  Winter: Many tours are summer-only, and the drive can be icy in winter.

  Hours and details for Seward (opens in a new tab)

• Alaska SeaLife Center

  2 hr 42 min by car (126 mi)

  Public aquarium and marine research center in Seward, with sea lions, puffins and local marine life. A good indoor stop.

  Winter: Open year-round, but Oct 1, 2026-Mar 3, 2027 hours are Thursday-Monday 12-5pm, closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Advance tickets recommended.

  Hours and details for Alaska SeaLife Center (opens in a new tab)

Many Seward tours, including Kenai Fjords boat tours, are summer-only, and the road to Exit Glacier closes to cars in winter. In winter, the Alaska SeaLife Center is the main reason to make the drive. Its fall and winter hours are limited, so check the schedule above, and book tickets ahead.

Farther: Talkeetna by car or train

• Talkeetna

  2 hr 34 min by car (114.1 mi)

  Small town at the end of the Talkeetna Spur Road, a base for Denali flightseeing and a stop on the Alaska Railroad.

  Winter: The Aurora Winter Train stops here on winter weekends. Some shops shorten their winter hours.

  Hours and details for Talkeetna (opens in a new tab)

Talkeetna is a long day by car. The Alaska Railroad's Aurora Winter Train stops there on its weekend run between Anchorage and Fairbanks, which suits an overnight more than a day trip. See our northern lights guide.